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How High Can Prices Go: Top Consumer Foods

As pandemic restrictions eased, pent-up consumer demand kept inflation elevated. In July, the overall consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.5%, a somewhat moderate gain relative to recent increases. Yet, over the past 12 months, price …

The Allure of Unconventional Food Mashups

Mac ‘n cheese ice cream and baked bean smoothies? Yes, believe it or not, those food items have become realities in 2021. And those are just a couple of the unusual food mashups that are …

Is Kelp the Next Big Ingredient in Alt-Meat?

When it comes to sustainable food sources, kelp checks all the right boxes. But are U.S. consumers ready to embrace it as a main course? Courtney Boyd Myers, CEO of alt-meat food tech company AKUA, …

Assessing the Mounting War on Meat

While climate and animal welfare advocates are encouraging less meat consumption, consumer demand continues to rise. With that, some are going on the offensive through legislative efforts. And the battle, it seems, will likely continue …

Beans: The Future of Carbohydrates?

Legumes have long been a staple in human diets, and they’re getting new life in the form of pasta. These alternative pastas are made from a range of lentils/beans including edamame, red lentils, fava beans, …

Employers’ Latest Hiring Tactic: Tuition-Free Degrees

Hiring and retaining employees has been a battle throughout the coronavirus pandemic, so companies are upping their game, waving perks like signing bonuses at workers. Now, the latest trend entails major employers like McDonald’s offering …

Report: Vegan Chocolate Increasingly Popular

The global chocolate confectionery market is anticipated to reach $154.5 billion (USD) by 2025. Its growth has been aided by the pandemic, during which consumers have often turned to comforting, indulgent foods, like milk chocolate …

More Grocery Stockpiling on the Horizon as Delta Variant Looms

Consumers who packed their pantries throughout the pandemic may be looking to replenish those supplies, according to new research by Inmar Intelligence. Of 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 69.4% said they were contemplating a significant restock …

Wild, Wild West: Why Water Theft is Now Rampant in California

As an unrelenting drought torments California’s farmers, many of them are now dealing with an additional concern: water theft. With water increasingly scarce in California in recent months, thieves have stolen several millions of gallons …

Online Delivery Boosts Prospects for Amazon Fresh

Since acquiring Whole Foods for $13.7 billion in 2017, Amazon has been looking to further expand into the $900 billion U.S. grocery industry through its Amazon Fresh stores. And, with online grocery delivery growing about …

Is the Plant-Based Market Showing Signs of Decline?

Despite interest in the plant-based space by investors, the category appeared to lose a bit of luster in the second quarter, as both Beyond Meat and Maple Leaf Foods noted sales of their plant-based offerings …

Next-Generation Vending Machines Serve Up Profits

Vending machines are no longer just for snacks and drinks. Today’s “next-generation” vending machines can serve up fresh salads and hot pizza in a matter of minutes. With that, Technavio predicts that the intelligent vending …

‘Fishless’ Fish: The Next Big Thing in Vegan Food Industry

Plant-based meat alternatives have a longer history than some might realize. And, they have proven to be effective in replacing meat products without compromising quality and nutritional value. Plant-based fish has been gaining traction as …

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Big Soda Departs from the Juice Market

PepsiCo has announced plans to sell Tropicana, Naked, and other juice brands across North America to private equity firm PAI Partners for about $3.3 billion. The soda giant is just the latest such company to …

Update: Drought Worsening in U.S. West, Plains

Drought and an early fire season are threatening agriculture in the U.S. West and Plains, reducing hay yields, pushing feed costs higher, the Associated Press reported (July 26), and drying up water sources. Drought conditions …

No Magic Bullet in Sight for U.S. Labor Shortage

With schools reopening and unemployment benefits scheduled to expire, employers have earmarked September as a hopeful turning point for the labor shortage. However, many economists and business owners warn that deeper issues will extend staffing challenges …

Is 10 Minutes the New Gold Standard for Food Delivery?

Back in 1979, Domino’s launched a rather ambitious initiative: the chain promised customers they’d get their pizza delivered to their doorstop in 30 minutes or less. It made for great marketing and was excitedly embraced …

Restaurant Sales are Booming, But for How Long?

The restaurant industry continued to regain its financial footing in June, but the pandemic aftershocks have yet to subside. “The industry right now is extremely strong and is surging. For many operators, they have more business …